In a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly, a sealing gasket is disposed between
spaced, parallel components and includes a gas-filled pillow structure
formed in the general shape of the manifold opening to be sealed. The
gasket acts as a passive gas spring that responds with increased seating
force to increased temperature. The gasket comprises first and second
elements formed from sheet or foil metal stock having mating concavities
and joined along their mutual surfaces to form the gas-filled pillow
structure in the shape of each opening to be sealed. The first and second
elements are respectively formed of the same material as the components
and diffusion bonded on their outer surfaces to their respective
component surfaces.